So the title of this project comes from a Nanci Griffith album but the idea is right there on Twitter in the form of #FemaleVoices. which will have been started by someone, somewhere and a whole bunch of people will post a song per day.
At first, though I could easily fill thirty one days in July, I thought about skipping it owing to time but what persuaded me was the fact that I could blog it here and it would mushroom into a whole album in itself with playable videos; everything on Twitter available here in one room.
I will catalogue the songs in order of merit as I’ve decided upon numbers one and two – well, the whole lot now in fact.
Heidi Berry starts us off from the station with Washington Square; a song from her album, Pomegranate.
(Day 1)
HEIDI BERRY Washington Square
It’s like two trains running in two tunnels Suddenly all is light And your train comes into view Face so close, see your breath on the glass I’ll follow your eyes As you veer away into the dark And I’ll still be here In Washington Square
(Day 2)
ANNE GARNER All That’s Left
All that’s left is freezing fast No room for love, it might not last If all that’s felt is torn apart then who will keep your wounded heart in theirs?
(Day 3)
JOAN ARMATRADING Laurel And The Rose
A lonely pedestrian Walking in the night And there’s no need to run Cause I’m following behind And I don’t want I don’t want I don’t want to misunderstand
(Day 4)
LIZA MINELLI So Sorry I Said
Your powers of persuasion, those quizzical eyes Have tired and tied me with innocent guile I would have walked out and after all the tears we shed I should have stalked out gone and painted the town bright red but instead So sorry, I said
(Day 5)
EVA CASSIDY Autumn Leaves
Since you went away the days grow long And soon I’ll hear old winter’s song But I miss you most of all my darling When autumn leaves start to fall
(Day 6)
CHRISTINA PERRI A Thousand Years
Time stands still Beauty in all she is I will be brave I will not let anything take away What’s standing in front of me Every breath Every hour has come to this
(Day 7)
JEWEL Foolish Games
You’re always brilliant in the morning Smoking your cigarettes And talking… over coffee Your philosophies on art Baroque moved you, you loved Mozart And you’d speak of your loved ones As I clumsily strummed my guitar
(Day 8)
SADE By Your Side
When you’re on the outside, baby And you can’t get in I will show you You’re so much better than you know When you’re lost and you’re alone And you can’t get back again I will find you Darling, and I will bring you home
(Day 9)
MELANIE C If That Were Me
Might surprise a few, this selection, but a song about homelessness and the line “I couldn’t live without my phone but you don’t even have a home” is poignant enough to give this one a place here.
(Day 10)
LILLIAN LOPEZ (ODYSSEY) If You’re Looking For A Way Out
One of the greatest soul ballads I’ve ever heard, top notch stuff and an essential inclusion.
(Day 11)
TO THE WEDDING Honest Love
I just can’t find anything online at all about To The Wedding, there doesn’t seem to be a web page about them let alone a website, all I know is that the lead singer Lauren kindly follows me on Twitter and delivers this amazing song.
(Day 12)
KIKI DEE Loving And Free
Bound I am bound, like a rope on a swing Up in the air and then down again Sure for the first time so clear in my mind Wise to the feeling I gently unwind
(Day 13)
LIANNE HALL Cosy
Very little content on YouTube and not really much about Lianne on the internet as a whole which is bewildering really but yes, I first heard this song on the Sound Of The Suburbs Peel compilation and yes I’m aware there’s a Peel session although I haven’t heard it. From Brighton originally and these days based in Germany, this is Cosy and I’ve had to make an MP4 to upload myself.
(Day 14)
ROSIE THOMAS Pretty Dress
Put your red coat on and walk with the light in the woods If it gets dark don’t get scared There’s so much waiting for you Cover up your ears and don’t show them ‘Cause you’re much better than them
(Day 15)
NATALIE MERCHANT Maggie Said
Holdin’ back What did I get for all of that? What did it count for? Tell me that Nothin’ Nothin’ Oh, nothin’, that’s a fact
16. (Day 16)
IMOGEN HEAP (Frou Frou) Let Go
This is the music video I created for the song, a few years back now, if you’re reading this then I hope you will enjoy watching it. It hadn’t been on my YouTube channel before but it’s on there now.
Drink up baby down Mmm are you in or out Leave your things behind ‘Cause it’s all going off without you Excuse me, too busy oh, writing your tragedy These mishaps you bubble wrap when You’ve no idea what you’re likeSo let go And jump in Oh well whatcha waiting for It’s all right ‘Cause there’s beauty in the breakdown (So let go) yeah let go And just get in Oh it’s so amazing here It’s all right ‘Cause there’s beauty in the breakdownIt gains the more it gives And it rises with the fall So hand me that remote Can’t you see that all that stuff’s a sideshow Such boundless pleasure We’ve no time for later now You can’t await your own arrival You’ve twenty seconds to complySo let go And jump in Oh well whatcha waiting for It’s all right ‘Cause there’s beauty in the breakdown…
(Day 17)
KIRSTY MacCOLL Mother’s Ruin
Gin or ladies of the night?
As I’m limiting this to one song per artist, first to mind came They Don’t Know and then Caroline but if I had to pick only one song from Kite, well, Mother’s Ruin it is.
Mother’s Ruin, she says to herself I’m just screwing my own mental health” But Fridays and Saturdays She walks down those alleyways A latter day lady of the lamp How you doing? You ain’t from round here Won’t you come in? I’m really not scared ‘Cause Fridays and Saturdays I still do it anyways And anything is better than out there
(Day 18)
KATE RUSBY Underneath The Stars
Here beneath the stars I’m mending I’m here beneath the stars not ending Why on earth am I pretending? I’m here again, the stars befriending They come and go of their own free will
(Day 19)
ELIZA CARTHY Benjamin Bowmaneer
And as he rode o’er the lea Benjamin Bowmaneer As he rode o’er the lea Castors away And as he rode o’er the lea He spied a fly on his knee The proud tailor rode prancing away
(Day 20)
STINA NORDENSTAM Little Star
I wanted to choose Another Story Girl in truth but couldn’t really omit Little Star.
I fell in love with the song and the video at the time and my girlfriend at the time bought me And She Closed Her Eyes on CD.
(Day 21)
ALANIS MORISETTE You Learn
Wear it out (the way a three-year-old would do) Melt it down (you’re gonna have to eventually anyway) The fire trucks are coming up around the bend
(Day 22)
ALISON KRAUSS If I Didn’t Know Any Better
Your heart is pullin’ If I didn’t know any better I’d be fallin deeper and deeper it’s true I’d hear it callin’ If I didn’t know any better and I’d be in love When the flame burns out If finally settles down And you forget I ever came around
(Day 23)
PHOEBE BRIDGERS Smoke Signals
One of your eyes is always half-shut Somethin’ happened when you were a kid I didn’t know you then and I’ll never understand why it feels like I did
(Day 24)
DUSTY SPRINGFIELD Wishin’ And Hopin‘
So if you’re thinkin’ of how great true love is All you gotta do is hold him, and kiss him and squeeze him and love him Yeah, just do it And after you do, you will be his
(Day 25)
POLLY-JEAN HARVEY Angeline
My first name Angelene Prettiest mess you’ve ever seen Love for money is my sin Any man calls, I’ll let him in Rose is my color, and white Pretty mouth and green my eyes I see men come and go
(Day 26)
PATTY GRIFFIN Rain
Strange how hard it rains now Rows and rows of big dark clouds When I’m holding on underneath this shroud Rain…
(Day 27)
TRACY CHAPMAN Unsung Psalm
If I do have a funeral ever (though I’ll probably try and boycott it), this would be my song.
If there is one thing I know I know I will die If anyone cares some stranger my critique my life I may be revered or defamed and decried But I tried to live right
(Day 28)
JUNE TABOR Sudden Waves
There are bays, peaceful bays in the harbour of your hand Where the waves, sudden waves cannot reach There are days when the ways of your words can make dry land And I can stay
(Day 29)
TORI AMOS Here In My Head
One of the finest vocal performances I’ve ever seen from quite possibly my favourite female vocalist.
Held your hand at the fair and Even forgot what time it was And even Thomas Jefferson wasn’t born In your backyard like you have said and Maybe I’m just the horizon you run to When she has left you and me here alone on the floor You’re counting my feathers as the bells toll You see the bow and belt and the girl from the south all Favorites of mine you know then all well And spring brings fresh little puddles that makes it all clear makes it all Do you know what this is doing to me Here in my head
(Day 30)
KATE BUSH And Dream Of Sheep
It’s those seagulls. If any song gives you the feeling of a harbour and being there… and it’s my favourite song in the masterpiece that is Hounds Of Love too.
Ooh, their breath is warm And they smell like sleep And they say they take me home Like poppies, heavy with seed They take me deeper and deeper
(Day 31)
NANCI GRIFFITH From A Distance
(No words necessary)
From a distance we are instruments Marching in a common band Playing songs of home, playing songs of peace They’re the songs of every man God is watching us, God is watching us God is watching us from a distance
Inspired by #Punktop16 on Twitter I’ve been minded to create my own punk and new wave favourites list which actually will be an A to Z rather than a 1 to 20 because I couldn’t rank them at all myself. In any event at the time of writing there are twenty-three but who’s counting!
So I want to write about (if I can remember) where I first heard it, where I bought the single, what I loved about it (content and structure) though most of you who know me a little will know that late seventies I was in a Surrey children’s home and my pocket money was spent almost entirely on vinyl.
The Squirrels, Banstead is now a respite centre
I know that once I got my own single room (at 12 you could, you were in a dorm that slept four before), I had a Fidelity record player but the boy next room, Anthony, he had a Dansette. He was like a teddy boy with a drape and quiff and everything and actually taught me a thing or three about rockabilly.
At the other end of the spectrum, a boy called Christopher, 14, year younger than Anthony, now he was into punk and I remember he had these red PVC trousers with zips everywhere and a fleecy kind of jumper or sweater that was leopardskin.
My bedroom walls in posters mostly had Debbie Harry and Chrissie Hynde as pin-ups. I really liked The Pretenders although they themselves don’t feature in this project.
The music came first from the radio of course. I can remember the first time I heard London Calling at the breakfast table – knew I just had to buy that single soon as I could.
But there were magazines of course and things like Melody Maker and NME, Record Mirror and Sounds where you could see the charts and learn about all this stuff going on.
GOD BLESS WILLIAM GRUNDY
And then there was the famous Bill Grundy interview on (Nationwide was it?) – “Go on then – say something outrageous” – later I even bought the Flogging A Dead Horse album though even now I still probably side with The Great Rock And Roll Swindle over Never Mind The Bollocks though, when I did the Best Debut Album bracket on Twitter, a fair few said that Bollocks was the album that changed everything.
Later I would learn that punk rock actually started years earlier, New York Dolls were unknown to me then. I would say that the earliest single I had that would fit the bill was I Need To Know by Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers.
All of these singles I’m about to discuss, many are household names but as it’s personal, there may be a few surprising and hopefully pleasant picks for readers.
As I said, it’s unlikely I could classify these in any particular order of merit and so in the interests of fairness, we will go through in an alphabetical line-up.
Can’t Stand Losing You – The Police Danger Signs – Penetration Emergency – 999 Gotta Getaway – Stiff Little Fingers Harmony In My Head – The Buzzcocks Hurry Up Harry – Sham 69 (I Don’t Want To Go To) Chelsea – Elvis Costello And The Attractions In A Rut – The Ruts Love On The Terraces – Serious Drinking Manny Moe And Jack – The Dickies Mary Of The 4th Form – Boomtown Rats Pretty Vacant – Sex Pistols Public Image – Public Image Limited Run Like Hell – Peter And The Test Tube Babies Smash It Up – The Damned Something Better Change – The Stranglers Sound Of The Suburbs – The Members The Greatest Cockney Rip-Off – Cockney Rejects This Perfect Day – The Saints Tommy Gun – The Clash Tomorrow’s Girls – UK Subs You Bastard – Alternative TV You’ve Got My Number – The Undertones
THE POLICE – Can’t Stand Losing You
Released: 14 August 1978; June 1979 (re-release)
This is a fine way to start although there’s a darkness and rather a sad story attached to it.
To begin with, I do remember that this was bought for, I think, something like 32p in Woolworths in Banstead High Street and this is the one, the very same, below.
There was the out-of-chart record rack and that cover – a man dangling over a block of ice with a three-year electric fire next to it – these days we would say something like “what the actual fuck?” and ten-year-old me thought along those lines though perhaps not in quite those exact terms.
32p at the time would have got you, in a subsidised establishment like a working men’s club, a pint of Double Diamond. And one of the many benefits of researching as you write is learning – I had no idea until now that there was a Double Diamond Export.
This was an early Police single (later on I would find a copy of Fall Out) and with it’s reference to the bitterness of a break-up and thoughts of suicide, it can be heard as somewhat depressing but the cod-reggae underlay gives it a positive push I feel, one of those songs that has a bittersweet edge.
I was at an impressionable age. Back at the children’s home we learned the dad news that a resident, Geoffrey, aged 14, had thrown himself in front of a train at Brookwood station. He had run away days before. The news hit everybody hard, the children and the staff.
Because there were children there from various backgrounds, broken homes, divorce, health reasons, me with autism, it was a supportive environment that trued to be just that but there was always some kind of disturbance, to be expected with such a mix of social issues.
Of all The Police singles that I love dearly, this one had to be my choice where I’m only giving a place to one song per band and where I can, I will link a music video.
I can’t see the point in another day When nobody listens to a word I say You can call it lack of confidence But to carry on living doesn’t make no sense
The timing of it all makes me think today of how ill Geoffrey must have been with thoughts similar to those lines to make him do what he did.
PENETRATION – Danger Signs
Virgin Records, 1979
I have no recollection at all of where I heard Danger Signs the first time or where I purchased the single. I hadn’t really been aware of Don’t Dictate.
Years later I would buy that Pauline Murray And The Invisible Girls album on the strength of having a 10-inch copy of Dream Sequence which I thought was amazing and played to death repeatedly.
Still, Danger Signs is to me a classic punk affair and easily grabbed a spot in this. A vinyl rip here, scratches and all – wonderful.
“Go on, go on, go on, go ON…”
999 – Emergency
Released: June, 1978
I’m back – in full atTACK!
They were great weren’t they? 999. Didn’t seem to have any longevity, they were suddenly there and then… but I learned only this morning that The Dickies are still going!
Emergency though, a fine new wave single, oh my word, yes.
Black jack wanna quack Never get your money back Pack attack in the back By a bloody maniac Better see industry Take it fast and make it last Go away make them pay Never make the same mistakes Sometimes care sometimes not See them bleed and see them rot I’m back in full attack Never give in until they crack Emer… emergency Emer… EMERGENCY!
STIFF LITTLE FINGERS – Gotta Gettaway
Released: 27 April 1979
One of the finest moments in life was the 1987 visit to the Netherlands and south-west Germany.
I had a birthday there in Valkenburg and the morning after an evening of many litres of Dutch fuel, to clear my head I decided to go for a dip at the Polfermolen, local public pool.
Walking out into the early Sunday morning sunshine, the first song on my cassette Walkman was Bloody Sunday (Stiff Little Fingers) – enough to clear anyone’s head.
As we are cataloguing singles here, I’ve decided on Gotta Gettaway for my inclusion. It’s just as immense and I love the imagination of it all. Life really was passing me by. And still is.
You know there ain’t no street like home To make you feel so all alone Plenty of folk to tell you what to do But they don’t speak the same language as you They wanna have me here Have me and hold me near Hold me down fasten and tie But the cars are all flashing me Bright lights are passing me I feel life passing me by
THE BUZZCOCKS – Harmony In My Head
Released: 13 July, 1979
Where do you go with Buzzcocks singles?
Their most successful, some would say although I tend to despair at the term, signature tune in Ever Fallen In Love or one of the many other superb sing-alongs; Promises, Orgasm Addict or What Do I Get? That very nearly made the cut here but I’ve gone for Harmony In My Head here. I had the blue sleeve but with Aldershot in mind perhaps I ought to have had the red too.
Whenever I’m in doubt about things I do I listen to the high street wailing sounds in a queue Go out for my walking sailing social news Don’t let it get me down I’m long in the tooth When I’m out in the open clattering shoppers around Neon signs that take your eyes to town Your thoughts are chosen your world is advertising now And extravagance matters to worshipers of the pound But it’s a harmony in my head It’s a harmony in my head…
SHAM 69 – Hurry Up Harry
Released in October, 1978 on Polydor Records.
We can probably see this as a novelty record now or perhaps some did at the time but, coming from their second LP and in my opinion one of THE great concept albums, there’s so much going on in the narrative of That’s Life that actually, one hardly notices Harry.
My copy was merely a paper sleeve, I wasn’t aware of the picture sleeve until some while later.
And because of my location at the time, Hersham wasn’t that far away. While the band didn’t have that many singles in their discography, Hurry Up Harry is the one that stands out for me.
ELVIS COSTELLO – (I Don’t Want To Go To) Chelsea
Released: 3 July 1978 on Radar Records.
Several different picture sleeves for this I’ve found but this was mine.
Ah, Elvis. That lip curl he did and the strange way he held the mic in those early days, remember?
Reminded me a bit of Alvin Stardust at the start of the decade.
Detectives was the first Costello song I heard on the radio but of the period, I had to choose Chelsea.
Oh, no, it does not move me Even though I’ve seen the movie I don’t want to check your pulse I don’t want nobody else I don’t want to go to Chelsea
THE RUTS – In A Rut
I can’t concentrate, I’m in a state I don’t feel straight, I can’t love or hate I can’t feel nothing, can’t feel no sting Only just learning, I ain’t a king
You’re in a rut, You gotta get out of it – out of it – out of it – out of it – out of it You’re in a rut, You gotta get out of it – out of it – out of it… out of it!
Ain’t no use, you ain’t that sloose Don’t tie that noose, it’s just abuse Don’t take that ride, it’s suicide You cut your wrist, You tried and missed.
You’re in a rut You gotta get out of it – out of it – out of it – out of it – out of it. You’re in a rut, You gotta get out of it, out of it – out of it… out of it!
I can’t concentrate, I’m in a state I don’t feel straight, I can’t love or hate I can’t feel nothing, can’t feel no sting Only just learning, I ain’t a king
You’re in a rut You gotta get out of it – out of it – out of it – out of it – out of it You’re in a rut You gotta get out of it – out of it – out of it – out of it… OUT OF IT!
Ain’t no use, you ain’t that sluiced Don’t tie that noose, it’s just abuse Don’t take that ride, it’s suicide You cut your wrist, You tried and missed
You’re in a rut You gotta get out of it – out of it – out of it – out of it – out of it You’re in a rut You gotta get out of it – out of it – out of it – out of it… OUT OF IT!
The Ruts’ first single, “In a Rut” was finally released on People Unite in January 1979, having been recorded back on 24 April 1978 at the Free Range 8-track studios. It was backed up with anti-heroin tirade “H-Eyes” on the B-side (“You’re so young, you take smack for fun/It’s gonna screw your head, you’re gonna wind up dead”). DJ John Peel expressed his admiration for the group on air (as can be heard on a retrospective 1978 radio show clip on the In a Can album) and a session for the BBC swiftly followed the same month.
Out of all those fine Ruts singles up to Staring At The Rude Boys and Jah Wars, I always return to In A Rut, it’s home for me.
SERIOUS DRINKING – Love On The Terraces
Her name was Sharon, she came from Saafend with sister Karen (a little skinhead), she liked football, she liked scooters, she liked A Certain Ratio, she liked the Cockney Rejects…
Is it me or was that just one of the cutest verses in a song I ever did hear?
It’s also one of only two songs I know that mention Southend.
And the later line – “she nabbed my programme, she broke my heart” 💖
Surely one of the great footy songs this and yet still unknown to a few.
THE DICKIES – Manny, Moe And Jack (1979)
From the sound of that car ending to the crash at the end, this is one fine auto adventure. Sure it was fun collecting all those fab singles from the yellow through to the red (Fan Mail) but it was slightly displeasing that this single came in bog-standard black. Some band though, still going today and a few great covers, notably Paranoid.
When you’re on the road And your car wont pull that load And your wheels aren’t feeling fine Well I know of this joint Where they’ll check your plugs and points I know these guys they’re three good friends of mine Manny Moe and Jack They know what I’m after Manny Moe and Jack They know what I’m after They’re Manny Moe and Jack Once your inside They wont take you for a ride They got a good deal for you and your automobile For the right price They will sell you fuzzy dice And leather hand grips for your steering wheel If its tires you want they got a lot for you Dunlop, firestone, Pirelli too Manny, Moe (and Jack) Manny, Moe (and Jack) Manny, Moe (and Jack) Manny, Moe (and Jack) Manny, Moe (and Jack) Manny, Moe (and Jack) Manny, Moe (and Jack) Manny, Moe (and Jack) Manny, Moe and Jack! They know what I’m after…
BOOMTOWN RATS – Mary Of The Fourth Form
Released: 11 November 1977
Because of Bob I guess, not everyone’s cup of tea but I thought (yes, even Rat Trap) all those early Rats singles were fantastic, especially this one. I wonder now if it was the lyrics too. 🤔
Stretchin’ out her long legs Pullin’ up her stockings She’s combing out her black hair Starin’ at the teacher Openin’ her lips wide Shiftin’ in her seat, yeah She slowly moves her hips aside
SEX PISTOLS – Pretty Vacant
Released: 2 July, 1977
Not much that needs to be said on this. Not quite my favourite Pistols track but my first purchase, this single and could never stop playing it.
There’s no point in asking, you’ll get no reply.
PUBLIC IMAGE LIMITED – Public Image(1978)
“Its not a game of Monopoly”
This is very atmospheric I’ve always felt, like you’re travelling through a wind tunnel. Careering even. Monster tune even if I say so myself, well worthy of inclusion here.
PETER AND THE TEST TUBE BABIES – Run Like Hell(1982)
I was down the local disco getting’ off with this girl., things were going really good, going really well. We was alone in a corner kissing and then I heard, this bloke come up behind me and say .. ” Oi, you! – that’s my bird!
Peacehaven’s finest, Peter And The Test Tube Babies. Formed in 1978, by Derek “Strangefish” Greening and Peter Bywaters. Due to their humorous tongue-in-cheek lyrics, they have been considered part of the Punk Pathetique sub-genre. Run Like Hell may be the youngest single in this selection.
THE DAMNED – Smash It Up
Released: 12 October, 1979
You can’t have part one without part two!
It really couldn’t be any simpler.
That sublime build up, the fade out, the fade back in then… ooh-ooh SMASH IT UP!
That’s how it must be done. 👍
THE STRANGLERS – Something Better Change
Released: 22 July, 1977
Slightly more tricky choosing a Stranglers single.
There’s a Stranglers bracket right now on Twitter and I think this one’s in the last sixteen.
So why have I picked it? “Stick my fingers right up your nose” for one – a true punk sentiment. Then there’s Greenfield’s keyboards and, I’m a real fan of abrupt endings as in… CHANGE! in this instance. Walk On By and Peaches ran this one close.
THE MEMBERS – Sound Of The Suburbs (1979)
Clear vinyl for me at the time and with this of the two rather different picture sleeves.
Same old boring Sunday morning Old man’s out washing the car Mum’s in the kitchen cooking Sunday dinner Her best meal, moaning while it lasts Johnny’s upstairs in his bedroom sitting in the dark Annoying the neighbours with his punk rock electric guitar
COCKNEY REJECTS – The Greatest Cockney Rip Off (1980)
Back in my hometown of Farnham my best friends were all West Ham fans (no idea why but there we are) so they ought to have liked Cockney Rejects but at the time The Jam were all the rage.
Still, on the wave of the coloured vinyl fad, here’s what I would have had a copy of (above).
THE SAINTS – This Perfect Day
Released: July, 1977
Has to be one of the earliest punk / new wave singles I had, impossible to leave out of a top twenty like this.
THE CLASH – Tommy Gun
Released: 24 November, 1978
This is by some distance my favourite song by The Clash but it’s all about the ending.
The lyrics and… those drums before the death – superb! 🤪
Boats an’ tanks and planes, it’s your game Kings an’ queens an’ generals learn your name I see all the innocents, the human sacrifice And if death comes so cheap Then the same goes for life!
UK SUBS – Tomorrow’s Girls(1979)
Another GEM of a band and firmly riding the coloured vinyl bandwagon, ensuring I had at least my only rose pink single in Teenage.
Tomorrow’s Girls is anthemic to me, such a simple tune, so easy on the ear but a song that will always make you remember where you were and who was around you, ergo, something special.
ALTERNATIVE TV – You Bastard (1977)
Can qualify as a B-side can’t it? 😋
The flip-over of ‘How Much Longer’, I’ve always had a fondness for this. Vinyl crackles again too, awesome…
Leave me alone, you’re wasting time (you bastard, you’re wasting time) Get out of the way, you’re no friend of mine (you bastard, you’re wasting time) My precious, precious time Everybody’s wasting my time My precious, precious time You’ve never seen excitement if you know what I mean, so leave my time alone Get out of my town, there’s no room for two (you bastard, you’re wasting time) Get out of my way, I don’t like you (you bastard, you’re wasting time) My precious, precious time Everybody’s wasting my time My precious, precious time You’ve never been in rock and roll, you know what I mean So leave my rock and roll alone My precious, precious time My precious, precious time My precious, precious time
And to end this look into the beginning of my teenage years musically, we’ve the Undertones and my favourite single of theirs, You’ve Got My Number. It’s that wonderful beginning and of course that sudden ending with WHY DON’T YOU USE IT!!! that does it for me. In the meantime if you’ve taken the time to read what had taken me six hours to put together, I hope you enjoyed it and thank you sincerely.
THE UNDERTONES – You’ve Got My Number
Released: 9 October, 1979
You’ve got my number Why don’t you use it You know my name You won’t abuse it If you wanna wanna wanna wanna Wanna have someone to talk to I’ll pick you up In my car Take you home It’s not far If you wanna wanna wanna wanna Wanna have someone to talk to Do it – do it – do it – do it Why don’t you ring my number? Why don’t you ring my number now? Let’s say goodbye I couldn’t stand it You’ve got my number Why don’t you use it
The final sixteen acts are now split into four groups of four.
The winner of those group will go straight through to a final group of four which will be the Grand Final.
FRIDAY 30 SEPTEMBER
SATURDAY 1 OCTOBER
SUNDAY 2 OCTOBER
MONDAY 3 OCTOBER
This is the part where the excitement returns. Some cracking ties ahead in the week ahead.
The remaining sixty-four sessions do battle
And so after much a to-ing and a fro-ing which included duplications and protestations and then affirmations amid the Bauhaus conspiracy where they appeared to sail into round three without actually doing very much, I now issue forth the THIRD ROUND DRAW for #FavePeelSession (minus Bauhaus) from which you will see some mouth-watering battles ahead.
Owing to the Fall 1980 duplication and the slot made available apropos Bauhaus, I had to scroll through the entire first round to search for the highest voted percentage of a session that was voted third.
First to show were Roxy Music and Broadcast, both with 28.4%.
There wasn’t time for a play-off and so in the end I just put Roxy Music into the hat before things got any more complicated.
So here it is, your eagerly awaited third round draw, available exclusively on an internet near you.
Monday, 5th September 2022
Tuesday, 6th September 2022
Wednesday, 7th September 2022
Thursday, 8th September 2022
Friday, 9th September 2022
Saturday, 10th September 2022
Sunday, 11th September 2022
Monday, 12th September 2022
Tuesday, 13th September 2022
Wednesday, 14th September 2022
Thursday, 15th September 2022
Friday, 16th September 2022
Saturday, 17th September 2022
Sunday, 18th September 2022
Monday, 19th September 2022
Tuesday, 20th September 2022
Thirty-two quintessential quartets
Wednesday 10 August
ROUND 2 – GROUP 1
Thursday 11 August
ROUND 2 – GROUP 2
Friday 12 August
ROUND 2 – GROUP 3
Saturday 13 August
ROUND 2 – GROUP 4
ROUND 2 – GROUP 5
Sunday 14 August
ROUND 2 – GROUP 6
ROUND 2 – GROUP 7
Monday 15 August
ROUND 2 – GROUP 8
Tuesday 16 August
ROUND 2 – GROUP 9
Wednesday 17 August
ROUND 2 – GROUP 10
Thursday 18 August
ROUND 2 – GROUP 11
Friday 19 August
ROUND 2 – GROUP 12
Saturday 20 August
ROUND 2 – GROUP 13
ROUND 2 – GROUP 14
Sunday 21 August
ROUND 2 – GROUP 15
ROUND 2 – GROUP 16
Monday 22 August
ROUND 2 – GROUP 17
Tuesday 23 August
ROUND 2 – GROUP 18
Wednesday 24 August
ROUND 2 – GROUP 19
Thursday 25 August
ROUND 2 – GROUP 20
Friday 26 August
ROUND 2 – GROUP 21
Saturday 27 August
ROUND 2 – GROUP 22
ROUND 2 – GROUP 23
Sunday 28 August
ROUND 2 – GROUP 24
ROUND 2 – GROUP 25
Monday 29 August
ROUND 2 – GROUP 26
Tuesday 30 August
ROUND 2 – GROUP 27
Wednesday 31 August
ROUND 2 – GROUP 28
Thursday 1 September
ROUND 2 – GROUP 29
Friday 2 September
ROUND 2 – GROUP 30
Saturday 3 September
ROUND 2 – GROUP 31
ROUND 2 – GROUP 32
An interesting side-salad discussion might be bands who arrived too late for Peel sessions.
What might they have been like; Arcade Fire or Broken Social Scene for example.
The Semifinalists were from London and active between 2005 and 2009.
I think they’d have made for a decent studio session and also find this track rather stimulating.
My latest bracket on Twitter is everyone’s favourite Peel session, using the hashtag #FavePeelSession
.
In each tie, the nominee will be tagged in so that one, they’ll be alerted and two, they’ll see who they’re playing as this gives the whole thing a more personal and competitive edge.
The tournament will have sixty-four groups in the first round, each group housing four nominated Peel sessions and the two most voted for sessions will make it into round two.
This will render 128 sessions to start the head to head phase which will run in that format until the final.
The first round will take two months to complete with just the one group per day but I see this as a good thing as people can have a bit more time exploring the music and perhaps artists they weren’t familiar with until now; this is going to be a great bracket and like a fine wine, mustn’t be rushed.
So I would envisage the tournament lasting until October and it will satisfy those early morning Twitter pollsters no end.
Fave Peel Session will commence this coming Saturday, 4th June with Group 1 and kick-off time will be approx 6pm each evening.
Here are my my ten personal picks that you can listen to should you wish but you’ll want to see the FIRST ROUND DRAW in full won’t you! In that case just scroll down past the videos.
THEATRE OF HATE Recorded: 12-01.80 First broadcast: 09 December 1980.
Rebel Without A Brain / The Wake / 63 / It’s My Own Invention
COMSAT ANGELS Recorded: 02-03.1981 Broadcast: 09 February 1981
Be Brave / At Sea / Eye Of The Lens / Dark Parade
GREGORY ISAACS & ROOTS RADICS Recorded: 10-26.81 First broadcast 05 November 1981.
The Front Door / Permanent Lover / Confirm Reservation / Substitute
SEETHING WELLS
1982 is about as much as I know and it seems to be missing off a few lists.
But it really happened. I was there, in bed, at fourteen, mesmerised by Godzilla and the Tetley Bittermen.
Fact, I can still recite Police Dog!
CULTURE
“There was one by the reggae band Culture that out of all of the sessions that were released on record is the one that I listen to the most, I think.” (John Peel, MTB Interview, 2002).
Recorded: 12-11.82 First broadcast: 11 January 1983.
Too Long In Slavery / Two Sevens Clash / Lion Rock / Armageddon
COCTEAU TWINS
This session was pinned to the CD version of Garlands, I’m not sure it was originally on the cassette version of Garlands that I had.
Recorded: 01-22.83. First broadcast: 31 January 1983.
Charles Windsor / The Funeral / Should The Bible Be Banned? / This Nelson Rockefeller
SOLAR RACE
*In memory of Eilidh Bradley*
Recorded: 05-16.95 First Broadcast: 02 June 1995
Good Enough / Out Of Time / Skewiff / Disgrace
MOGWAI
Live at Maida Vale, 21 May 2003.
Hunted By A Freak / Kids Will Be Skeletons / Killing All The Flies / Stop Coming To My House / Golden Porche / Ratts Of The Capital / I Know You Are, But What Am I? / Helicon 1
FIRST ROUND DRAW
So we do know the two sessions through from Group 1 of #FavePeelSession as The Slits (1977) and Yo La Tengo (1997) qualified with 134 votes collected overall.
Sunday 12 June
GROUP 2
I noticed that, with some 45 minutes left, Done Lying Down and Unwound were neck and neck at 11.6% so I quote tweeted the poll and eventually Unwound won second place with 14.9%.
Monday 13 June
Tuesday 14 June
Wednesday 15 June
Thursday 16 June
Friday 17 June
The Cure and Gang Of Four (via a play-off) progress.
Saturday 18 June
Sunday 19 June
Monday 20 June
Tuesday 21 June
Wednesday 22 June
And in the end, World Of Twist won through comfortably to join Stereolab in round two.
Life Is… – Rejuvination Clearing The Past – Genuine Grid One – Elegia Mother Earth – Vibrronics Quantum Limit (Symphony Of Love Remix) – Alien Signal Skin Deep (Global Communication Remix) – Dusky Resonance – Substance & Vainqueur Netherworld (Oliver Prime Remix) – L.S.G. Anjum – Diffaith Cassiopeia – Nail Sunfruits Avenue – Aural Planet
Running time: 78:52
In life, I do like a bit of everything. And with a name like Oliver, I always want more.
I hadn’t mixed anything for well over a year and so today returned to the decks to add another volume to the Deep Space Ritual series.
Deep Space Rituals are themed mixes that are freestyle and primarily a fusion of techno, space dub and acid house,
Volumes 1 through 11 are no longer on this website but I’m hoping to upload this new creation to my Youtube channel, particularly as I’ve made it into a movie!
The footage is from a documentary entitled Journey Through The Universe.
Ultimately we had a WINNER! The tournament favourite I FEEL LOVE lost out to BILLIE JEAN in what wasn’t really a closely-fought final either.
Next up will be a bracket of reggae and ska.
QUARTER-FINALS
FOURTH ROUND DRAW
Saturday 15th January
Sunday 16th January
I’ve used a list randomizer for this third round draw and I have to say it has thrown up some fantastic pairings. The third round will run for eight days from Wednesday 5th January to Wednesday 12th January 2022. Here are the sixteen ties with the 2nd round % vote for each song in parenthesis.
Wednesday 12th January 2022
THIRD ROUND DRAW
Saturday8th January 2022
Monday 10th January 2022
Wednesday 5th January 2022
Thursday 6th January 2022
Friday 7th January 2022
Tuesday 11th January 2022
SECOND ROUND DRAW
Phase two sees the commencement of head to head ties, each match determined by their percentages scored in round one.
The second round will run from Monday 20 December 2021 to Tuesday 4 January 2022 with two groups to be played each day.
As the highest-scoring group runner-up, Moby’s”Go!” returns with another chance.
Find out below all of the songs YOU voted for, who plays who and when.
Monday 20 December
Tuesday 21 December
Wednesday 22 December
Thursday 23 December
Christmas Eve ⛄
Christmas Day 🎅
Boxing Day 🎁
Monday 27 December
Tuesday 28 December
Wednesday 29 December
Thursday 30 December
New Year’s Eve 🎈
New Year’s Day
Sunday 2 January 2022
A new bracket tournament starting November 2021.
Featuring all genres of dance music, we’re looking for our Twitter friends to compile a list of FIVE favourite tracks, be it old school disco, house, trance, techno, R&B, soul, hip hop, rap, drum and bass, whatEVER, if it’s a CHOON to YOU, let’s hear it!
Following all of your nominations, the draw for Round One has now been made by Randomlist and will commence Tuesday 16th November through to Thursday 16th December.
Scroll down to check when the songs you voted for are in play and who they’ll be up against!
Nice title perhaps but not strictly true. There’s no hate for The Smiths second LP but more disdain. I’ve never fathomed why the majority of Smiths fans (and I’ve learned this over many years on a multitude of music forums), hold such love for it.
So I wanted to jot down my reasons and go through the compilation track by track.
Perhaps the first thing to mention in relation to it is my deficiency. As I’m on the autism spectrum, I don’t like change in any shape or form. So in music, it is natural for my ears to like only whatever it was that they heard first.
This means that I like very few cover versions of songs.
There are exceptions of course. Off the top of my head I can think of Everything But The Girl’s version of Simon and Garfunkel’s “The Only Living Boy In New York”.
Anyhow, on to Hatful Of Hollow.
The album kicks off with the single edit (as far as I’m aware) of William It Was Really Nothing. A great start and no complaints from me. It was the 7-inch version I had a copy of originally.
“What Difference Does It Make”
Here comes my first problem. Firstly, the song is in a higher key than the studio version. And while the guitars are more organic, to me they’re too heavy. Once I’ve treasured that original single and the, to me, bona fide version of Back To The Old House as its flip-side, there can be no substitute.
“These Things Take Time” featured on the 12-inch What Difference release and was included on Louder Than Bombs.
I do feel pleased that somewhat against the grain, I side with the David Jensen session track as my pick of the two but still it’s a close call.
“This Charming Man”
So I’m calling this one a draw! Without the intro, this alternative version is softer, mire jolly, I can understand its appeal, my go-to is always that New York mix.
One thing I think everyone can agree on is that line – “Why pamper life’s complexities when the leather runs smooth on the passenger seat”.
Also a good upholstery reference later in That Joke Isn’t Funny Anymore with “And on a cold weather seat, well, it finally struck me – I just might die with a smile on my face after all”.
“How Soon Is Now”
Originally the B-side of William, I soon bought the 12-inch of this which houses the marvellous “Well I Wonder”.
I’ve heard a few people say that they don’t care for How Soon Is Now because it’s quite different? Or was quite different at the time to what they were mainly doing.
I cite Wikipedia apropos Hand In Glove.
In addition, the original single version of “Hand in Glove” is included, not the remixed version that appears on The Smiths. It features a fade-intro and fade-out, louder bass, and vocals that sound very distant.
I can’t bear fade-ins generally and along with the distant vocals, I loathe this version with a passion!
“Still Ill”
Oh my, what were they thinking. This for me is the worst thing I’ve ever heard by them. That harmonica! Makes the song sound like a poor man’s Love Me Do. Just dreadful compared to the sublime debut album version.
No issues with Heaven Knows as it’s the bog standard studio-made single so on to one of Hatful’s real plus points.
“This Night Has Opened My Eyes”
Without another version to compare it to, all I can say is how magnificent this song is.
“You’ve Got Everything Now”
I can almost like this but it’s ever so slightly slower and for me lacks the drive and intensity of the original counterpart.
Just like with This Night, there are no challengers to these and you know what, I actually love all three songs very much. Thank heavens these are the only versions I’ve ever heard!
Regarding live albums I don’t care for Rank much at all but when I lived up in the north of England I can remember acquiring a couple of live Smiths bootleg cassettes from an open market outside of Bolton or somewhere and thought that they were rather good.
And thanks to something called the internet, I’ve managed to track both of them down, though I no longer have either of them.
“Back To The Old House”
So the original b-side of this made it into Louder Than Bombs and while I could just about listen to the much different version on Hatful there is only one winner here and by some distance!
“Reel Around The Fountain’
Dear me. This is like… it’s not The Smiths, it’s a different band.
I’ve heard people contend that this is actually more soulful!
Each to their own, I think this is a pile of tosh compared to the beautifully polished studio version and as Mrs. Slocombe would point out, I am unanimous in that!
The album ends with the quite pleasant Please Please Please Let Me Get What I Want with its Parisian street vibe (you can imagine being in an outdoor cafe enjoying croissants while the song plays in ze background… yes, it’s fine, wouldn’t make my Smiths Top 20 songs if there were such a thing but good all the same.
To close, blog-writing is certainly healthy. I’ve learned that I haven’t ripped Hatful Of Hollow to shreds as I thought I might do.
It’s clear for any reader to understand that I have several bugbears that impair my overall enjoyment but I would struggle with ranking it as a 7/10… so I’ll stop at six and a half!
You’ve only ever had one choice, fact Twitter polls dictate that but now we’re down to the final sixteen debut albums, the four choice format hereon in will make for closer consideration.
The four groups will run from today until Friday with the winner of each appearing in Saturday’s grand final with the voting open for seven days.
Have fun! 🤔 🤭
TUESDAY
The Specials – The Specials Nowhere – Ride Kilimanjaro – Teardrop Explodes George Best – Wedding Present
WEDNESDAY
Never Mind The Bollocks – The Sex Pistols Marquee Moon – Television Boy – U2 Murmur – R.E.M
THURSDAY
Blondie – Blondie The Clash – The Clash Unknown Pleasures – Joy Division Roxy Music – Roxy Music
FRIDAY
In The City – The Jam Beautiful Freak – Eels One Step Beyond – Madness The Velvet Underground and Nico – The Velvet Underground
Murmur – R.E.M – 56.5% beat Searching For The Young Soul Rebels – Dexy’s Midnight Runners 43.5%
269 votes
SATURDAY 7TH AUGUST
Inflammable Material – Stiff Little Fingers (53.5%) surprisingly lost out to Kilimanjaro – Teardrop Explodes (46.5%) – 256 voters attended.
Licensed To Ill – Beastie Boys lost out to The Clash – The Clash 70.7% in a tie that drew 409 votes.
SUNDAY 8TH AUGUST
The Ramones – The Ramones vs Unknown Pleasures – Joy Division 68.9%
453 votes
Elastica – Elastica vs Blondie – Blondie 72%
372 votes
MONDAY 9TH AUGUST
Life’s A Riot With Spy vs Spy – Billy Bragg lost to One Step Beyond – Madness 58.5%
306 votes
Rattus Norvegicus – The Stranglers lost out to The Velvet Underground and Nico – The Velvet Underground 65.9%
320 votes
TUESDAY 10TH AUGUST
Dire Straits – Dire Straits Roxy Music – Roxy Music 61.8%
318 votes
The Specials – The Specials 51.2% The Stone Roses – The Stone Roses
518 votes
WEDNESDAY 11TH AUGUST
George Best – Wedding Present 41.5%
Dry – PJ Harvey
Rattlesnakes – Lloyd Cole and The Commotions
461 votes
Marquee Moon – Television 55.8% Psychocandy The Jesus And Mary Chain
396 votes
THURSDAY 12TH AUGUST
Turn On The Bright Lights – Interpol lost to Boy – U2 – 53.8%
316 votes
In The City – The Jam 59.7% defeated Slanted And Enchanted – Pavement
345 votes
FRIDAY 13TH AUGUST
Nowhere – Ride 51% defeated Entertainment! – Gang Of Four
243 votes
Never Mind The Bollocks – The Sex Pistols 55.8% defeated The Smiths – The Smiths
511 votes
SECOND ROUND
The second round sees 32 head to head ties and two will be posted each day.
The draw is seeded this time based on the first round performance in percentages.
The Clash (70.4%) and 14 Iced Bears (61%) were the highest and so play each other, similarly the lowest voted for, The Cars (18.8%) and Beautiful Freak (14.3%) are adversaries this time.
The second round begins tomorrow, Monday 19th July and the full draw is as follows:
MONDAY 19TH JULY
In a close-fought contest, The Cars – The Cars (48.9%) lost out to Beautiful Freak -by Eels (51.1%). 229 votes were recorded.
307 voters turned out to ensure Slanted And Enchanted – Pavement (61.6%) made the third round, defeating The New York Dolls – The New York Dolls (38.4%)
TUESDAY 20TH JULY
204 votes saw a landslide victory for Licensed To Ill – Beastie Boys (92.2%) versus Almost Here – Unbelievable Truth (7.8%)
In a similar one-sided affair, 166 votes saw Rattus Norvegicus – The Stranglers (80.7%) defeat I Am A Wallet – McCarthy (19.3%)
WEDNESDAY 21ST JULY
288 votes saw The Specials – The Specials (71.2%) defeat The Hurting – Tears For Fears while Entertainment! – Gang Of Four (57.9%) saw off Isn’t Anything – My Bloody Valentine in a tie that drew 259 votes
THURSDAY 22ND JULY
240 voters saw Fever to Tell – Yeah Yeah Yeahs lose out to Life’s A Riot With Spy vs Spy – Billy Bragg (55%) while Turn On The Bright Lights – Interpol (59.7%) easily saw off Signing Off – UB40 in a tie that drew in 211 votes.
FRIDAY 23RD JULY
A low turnout of just 202 votes Friday on #BestDebutAlbum saw Dire Straits debut (57.4%) incredibly prove to be too strong for Script Of The Bridge while in the other tie, The Pretenders were slain by the magnificent Stiff Little Fingers debut Inflammable Material (52.6%) with 228 voters taking part.
SATURDAY 24TH JULY
Saturday on #BestDebutAlbum and 227 votes saw Searching For The Young Soul Rebels – Dexy’s Midnight Runners (81.1%) win hands down against Hopes And Fears – Keane while Dry – PJ Harvey (56.1%) defeated The Kick Inside – Kate Bush. 285 votes recorded in that tie.
SUNDAY 25TH JULY
A lower than average turnout of 189 votes saw Kilimanjaro – Teardrop Explodes (52.4%) defeat Welcome To The Pleasuredome while in a surprise development, Ride’s Nowhere (58.4%) saw off Big Country’s The Crossing in a tie of 249 recorded votes
MONDAY 26TH JULY
Blondie – Blondie (55.3%) comfortably defeated Pink Flag Monday on #BestDebutAlbum from 264 recorded votes while the Roxy Music debut survived the challenge of Live At The Witch Trials, amassing 56.5% from the 237 votes.
TUESDAY 27TH JULY
In the end, Boy – U2 (58.6%) saw off the Icelandic challenge of Bjork in a tie that drew 447 voters.
In the other Tuesday tie, The Ramones – The Ramones (78.7%) defeated Parachutes – Coldplay and could potentially face Rattus Norvegicus (The Stranglers) in round three.
WEDNESDAY 28TH JULY
In a round that attracted 276 votes, Killing Joke – Killing Joke (38.7%) lost out to In The City – The Jam – (66.7%).
And Orbital – Orbital lost out by a hefty margin to Psychocandy – The Jesus And Mary Chain (73.5%) in a round that drew 287 votes.
THURSDAY 29TH JULY
George Best – Wedding Present (56.5%) defeat Three Imaginary Boys – The Cure – 331 votes.
The Stone Roses – The Stone Roses (70%) defeat Straight Outta Compton – N.W.A.- 353 votes.
FRIDAY 30TH JULY
The Velvet Underground and Nico – The Velvet Underground (41.6%)
Pablo Honey – Radiohead (40.6%)
Look Sharp! – Joe Jackson (43.9%)
Marquee Moon – Television (43.8%)
SATURDAY 31ST JULY
Hot Fuss – The Killers (44.5%) versus Elastica – Elastica (43%)
One Step Beyond – Madness (42.5%) versus Lexicon Of Love – ABC (42.5%)
SUNDAY 1ST AUGUST
Never Mind the Bollocks – The Sex Pistols (69.1%)
404 votes
Murmur – R.E.M. (84.7%)
255 votes
MONDAY 2ND AUGUST
The Clash – The Clash (70.4%)
14 Iced Bears – 14 Iced Bears (61%)
The Smiths – The Smiths (59.4%)
The Psychedelic Furs – The Psychedelic Furs (53.8%)
ORIGINAL POST
They say that you never forget your first.
So most of us will have a favourite debut album.
I’ve selected my favourites for this tourno, 128 of them in fact.
Your mission will be to use your judgement and skill in voting these albums down until we have an ultimate winner.
Notable omissions apropos big artists include Genesis and Pink Floyd.
But The Velvet Underground are here, also David Bowie and others that are considered classics and could not be excluded.
In the first round of voting #BestDebutAlbum there are four titles per group.
You have only one selection but the top two most voted will go through to round two and from thereon in it will be head to head battles until the grand final.
There will be no semi-finals. Instead the four albums will appear in a grand final with the voting being open for seven days.
Here’s the complete draw compiled by RANDOMLIST.
Saturday 19 June
The Clash – The Clash
Wa Do Dem – Eek A Mouse
New York Dolls – New York Dolls
Third Eye Blind – Third Eye Blind
A total of 318 votes saw The Clash (70.4%) and New York Dolls (18.9%) progress to round two.
Sunday 20 June
A total of 283 votes saw The Fall (34.6%) and Dire Straits (29.7%) progress to round two.
Monday 21 June
A total of 315 votes saw Killing Joke (38.7%) and Pink Flag (34.9%) progress to round two.
Tuesday 22 June
In a thrilling, close-knit affair, a total of 307 votes saw Inflammable Material – Stiff Little Fingers (29.3%) and Entertainment! – Gang Of Four (24.4%) reach round two with Outlandos d’Amour – The Police missing out by just 0.3%.
Wednesday 23 June
In the highest turnout so far, 381 voters decided that Placebo’s magnificent debut didn’t cut it and so Nowhere – Ride drawing 32.8% and Dry – PJ Harvey (31%) went through to round two.
Thursday 24 June
Parachutes – Coldplay with 35.8% and Big Country’s The Crossing (33%) progressed to the second round in a total of 349 votes.
Friday 25 June
I was a little surprised at how popular Hot Fuss – The Killers album still is. And it chewed up 44.5% of the 218 votes (lowest turnout so far) with Script Of The Bridge – The Chameleons in second spot with 29.4%.
Saturday 26 June
In what quickly became a two-horse race, Three Imaginary Boys – The Cure won through with 39.2% of the 385 votes with The Hurting – Tears For Fears finishing in second spot with 24.7%.
Sunday 27 June
The Durannies were quickly disappointed as a new record number of voters (476) saw Roxy Music’s debut (34.2%) finish second behind the aptly-named Debut by Bjork(36.8%).
In another round that threatened the 500 vote count, Boy – U2 ran out the winner drawing 36.3% with Isn’t Anything – My Bloody Valentine (25.7%) securing second spot.
Monday 28 June
Monday’s round saw One Step Beyond – Madness prove really popular drawing 42.5% with the eighties epic, Welcome To The Pleasuredome – Frankie Goes To Hollywood in second place (33.8%).
Tuesday 29 June
350 voters said that Straight Outta Compton – N.W.A.(38.9%) was the best with The Pretenders – The Pretenders the runner-up (29.4%). Leaving the building were Tori Amos and Verve.
Wednesday 30 June
In a record number of 519 votes, Wednesday’s winners were The Velvet Underground and Nico – The Velvet Underground drawing 41.6% of the pie and Elvis Costello’s My Aim Is True surprisingly succumbed to Licensed To Ill – Beastie Boys (20.6%).
Thursday 1 July
The Psychedelic Furs debut ran out strong winners with the highest majority so far, pulling 53.8% of the 247 votes. Signing Off – UB40 (28.7%) was second with Th’ Faith Healers and (unsurprisingly) Johnny Hates Jazz missing out.
Friday 2 July
It was tricky for Run-DMC as Lexicon Of Love – ABC ran out a clear winner with 42.5% of the 365 votes. Turn On The Bright Lights, the Interpol debut took second spot with 28.2%.
Saturday 3 July
In an expected lower turnout of voters (262) Hopes And Fears – Keane made it through to the second round pulling 32.1% while Look Sharp! – Joe Jackson ran out the winner with 43.9%.
Sunday 4 July
As expected, Unknown Pleasures – Joy Division ran off into the hills with 75.5% of the 355 votes with Violent Femmes – Violent Femmes (14.9%) taking second place. As things stand, Joy Division will face The Clash in round two.
Monday 5 July
488 votes saw The Smiths – The Smiths (59.4%) run out comfortable winners and in a tense finish, just 0.4% separated Beautiful Freak – Eels (14.3% ) from Young Team – Mogwai. The Smiths could face The Psychedelic Furs in round two.
Tuesday 6 July
Never Mind the Bollocks – The Sex Pistols, hailed as the greatest album ever made by one voter, drew 57.8% of the 429 votes with Slanted and Enchanted – Pavement also heading to round two with 19.8%.
Wednesday 7 July
A new record of 584 votes saw The Stone Roses – The Stone Roses (39%) run out comfortable winners but incredibly just 0.1% meant that The Specials – The Specials prevailed over Dummy – Portishead.
Thursday 8 July
Morrissey’s Viva Hate made an early exit as In The City – The Jam with 38.2% ran out the winner with The Kick Inside – Kate Bush (30.9%) taking second spot.
Friday 9 July
Though showing much early promise, the Boston debut album finished last with Life’s A Riot With Spy vs Spy – Billy Bragg fetching 26% of the 327 votes and Kilimanjaro – Teardrop Explodes winning the round with 33.9%.
Saturday 10 July
Elastica – Elastica drew a healthy 43% of the 342 votes in which Fever to Tell – Yeah Yeah Yeahs took second spot with 27.2% – that album could face Life’s A Riot or Turn On The Bright Lights in the second round.
How can Ash outscore The Ruts said a few. And some may have raised an eyebrow as George Best – Wedding Present (40.2%) outscored The Ramones – The Ramones (36.1%) in a round that attracted 435 votes. A possibility now that George Best could face Three Imaginary Boys in round two.
Sunday 11 July
The lowest turnout of voting so far saw just 141 nominate I Could Live In Hope – Low (45.4%) and I Am A Wallet – McCarthy (22%) go through to the second round.
In part two of Sunday’s double-header, Orbital – Orbital (37.3%) finished runner-up to Pablo Honey – Radiohead (40.6%) in a low turnout poll of just 276 voters.
Monday 12 July
It was tough on Tracy Chapman, missing out by just 0.8% but in a tough battle for second spot, The Cars – The Cars won through with 18.8% of the 383 votes.
The La’s – The La’s (51.4%) proved to be the clear people’s favourite and could face Low’s I Could Live In Hope in round two, depending on other scores.
Tuesday 13 July
In an incredibly low turnout of 59 punters, 14 Iced Bears – 14 Iced Bears (61%) and Almost Here – Unbelievable Truth (20.3%( won through to round two.
Wednesday 14 July
Patti Smith’s Horses was edged out in a group that saw 434 voters decide that Marquee Moon – Television (43.8%) and Psychocandy – The Jesus And Mary Chain (37.1%) made it through to round two.
Thursday 15 July
511 voters turned out to help push Murmur – R.E.M. (48.7%) over the line and Rattus Norvegicus – The Stranglers finished second with 23.3%.
At the moment Murmur is set to play I Could Live In Hope while Rattus Norvegicus could face I Am A Wallet in the second round head to heads that begin Monday.
Friday 16 July
Blondie – Blondie with 35.1% narrowly outscored Searching For The Young Soul Rebels – Dexy’s Midnight Runners (32.3%) in the last group of the first round in which 493 voters took part.
Originally the third B-side track on the 12″ version of Bigmouth Strikes Again, it would be later included on the compilations The World Won’t Listen and Louder Than Bombs.
Its place as second favourite also made me think whether or not it could surpass the beauty and strength of my first choice.
It couldn’t.
And scouring the internet for some background and titbits, I read that the lyrics are reportedly a mocking reference to The Cure’s frontman Robert Smith, with whom lead singer Morrissey had a public feud with.
Wonder what that was all about. 🤔
Also, Unloveable has never been covered live by Morrissey to date. However, he has been noted to quote the lyric “And if I seem a little strange, that’s because I am.” on occasion during concerts.
Speaking of live concerts, I used to have a pair of bootleg cassettes which I found at an indoor market somewhere near Bolton.
And one of them looked very similar and might well have been the same as the one below.
This exercise has also had me find some unofficial albums like this German one called Unloveable.
Tracklist
Miserable Lie What Difference Does It Make? This Night Has Opened My Eyes Hand In Glove Still Ill Barbarism Begins At Home Still Ill (Excerpt) This Charming Man (Acoustic) Hand In Glove (Excerpt) Jeane (Acoustic) Bigmouth Strikes Again Vicar In A Tutu There Is A Light That Never Goes Out Panic Sheila Take A Bow Shoplifters Of The World Unite Hand In Glove Rock’n’roll Part Two Unloveable #1 Unloveable #2 There Is A Light That Never Goes Out
So why does Unloveable rank so high? What really works for me in this song is the tailpiece.
Beginning at 03:06 it builds up and up before the fade-out with Mozza’s vocals backgrounded a little. You hear it okay but it’s the thirty seconds of beauty when he’s… what is it exactly, who knows, who cares, if the song wasn’t great already, the finishing line nails it.
I know I’m unloveable You don’t have to tell me I don’t have much in my life But take it – it’s yours I don’t have much in my life But take it – it’s yours Oh…
I know I’m unloveable You don’t have to tell me Oh, message received Loud and clear Loud and clear I don’t have much in my life But take it – it’s yours
I know I’m unloveable You don’t have to tell me For message received Loud and clear Loud and clear Message received I don’t have much in my life But take it – it’s yours
I wear black on the outside ‘Cause black is how I feel on the inside I wear black on the outside ‘Cause black is how I feel on the inside
And if I seem a little strange Well, that’s because I am If I seem a little strange That’s because I am
But I know that you would like me If only you could see me If only you could meet me
Oh… I don’t have much in my life But take it – it’s yours I don’t have much in my life But take it – it’s yours
3. I Know It’s Over
According to Wiki, the song was “originally meant to have trumpet on it during the refrain at the end, but it was scrapped”
Wow. Can you imagine that? Oh Mother I can feel… with brass in the background. God forbid.
In the book Songs That Saved Your Life, author Simon Goddard explained that Morrissey did not show his band-mates the lyrics to the song until the instrumental track was entirely finished.
Simon Reynolds of Pitchfork wrote “The writing in ‘I Know It’s Over’ is a tour de force, from the opening image of the empty—sexless, loveless—bed as a grave, through the suicidal inversions of ‘The sea wants to take me/The knife wants to slit me,’ onto the self-lacerations of ‘If you’re so funny, then why are you on your own tonight?’ and finally the unexpected and amazing grace of ‘It’s so easy to hate/It takes strength to be gentle and kind.
It’s the really clever lyrics and the maudlin, sheer desperation of it all that won my heart and enabled the high placement in this Smiths top ten.
In particular “love is natural and REAL but not for such as you and I”. It’s a nod to that feeling of displacement, when you question why relationships can be so simple for others but they never quite work out for you.
I’m thinking now that I’ve not seen I Know It’s Over in the many other top tens posted on Twitterland.
Over the years, flying the flag for the song has left me open to ridicule on music forums. “It’s a horrible dirge” others protested.
Well I think it’s a beautiful dirge and I cannot always expect others to have passions just like mine.
Oh Mother, I can feel the soil falling over my head And as I climb into an empty bed Oh well. Enough said. I know it’s over – still I cling I don’t know where else I can go Oh…
Oh Mother, I can feel the soil falling over my head See, the sea wants to take me The knife wants to slit me Do you think you can help me?
Sad veiled bride, please be happy Handsome groom, give her room Loud, loutish lover, treat her kindly (Though she needs you More than she loves you) And I know it’s over – still I cling I don’t know where else I can go Over and over and over and over Over and over…
I know it’s over And it never really began But in my heart it was so real And you even spoke to me, and said : “If you’re so funny Then why are you on your own tonight ? And if you’re so clever Then why are you on your own tonight ? If you’re so very entertaining Then why are you on your own tonight ? If you’re so very good-looking Why do you sleep alone tonight ? I know…
‘Cause tonight is just like any other night That’s why you’re on your own tonight With your triumphs and your charms While they’re in each others arms…” It’s so easy to laugh It’s so easy to hate It takes strength to be gentle and kind Over, over, over, over
It’s so easy to laugh It’s so easy to hate It takes guts to be gentle and kind Over, over Love is natural and real But not for you, my love Not tonight, my love Love is natural and real But not for such as you and I, my love
Oh Mother, I can feel the soil falling over my head…
4. Well I Wonder
I do love the sound of falling rain. And thunder too. All too rare in songs don’t you find?
But that’s not the reason that Well I Wonder earns a place in this coveted ten.
It’s the sheer simplicity of it all.
For me it’s the best song on Meat Is Murder, even surpassing the sublime That Joke Isn’t Funny Anymore.
And best of all, this song was on the flip-side of the twelve-inch How Soon Is Now I used to have, that song as you’ve seen was my number five though in these Twitter posts I’ve noticed someone had it down as their numero uno.
Well I wonder… do you hear me when you sleep? I hoarsely cry
Well I wonder…
do you see me when we pass? I half-die
Please keep me in mind Please keep me in mind
Gasping but somehow still alive This is the fierce last stand of all I am
Gasping, dying but somehow still alive This is the final stand of all I am
Please keep me in mind
That’s what I mean about simplicity. Well I Wonder kicks into gear at 0:32 (when that bassline begins) and drifts along so beautifully and no, I’ve no idea why the person was gasping and dying but it really doesn’t matter.
Conversely I can understand how it wouldn’t rank high, say, if we were to rate all the Meat Is Murder songs; I can imagine how some might feel that Well I Wonder is fairly average.
For me it’s always been a thing of beauty and is worthy of its place here.
5. How Soon Is Now
There’s a club if you’d like to go. You could meet someone who really loves you. So you go and you stand on your own. And you leave on your own. And you go home and you cry and you want to die.
But did anyone ever imagine what kind of club? A singles club? A nightclub or disco?
Whichever it was the sarcasm in the prophecy that you “could meet someone” resonated hard with those who returned fruitless from Friday night nocturnal ventures.
I think How Soon Is Now is almost anthemic as Panic or There Is A Light.
Johnny Marr’s demo was originally called “Swamp”. In contrast to the frequent chord changes he had employed in most Smiths’ songs, Marr wanted to explore building a song around a single chord (in this case, F♯) as much as possible, which also appealed to producer John Porter.
“We used to smoke dope from when we got out of bed to when we got back to bed”, recalls Porter, and Marr concurred: “You’re from Manchester, you smoke weed till it comes out of your ears.”
And the song rambles on for almost seven minutes though when I do play it, I never actually want it to end.
Another thing of note to me is that the fade out is succinct here. Deserving. I’m not a fan of fade-outs by any stretch but you couldn’t imagine this song just stopping on a single note.
It’s still not one of their biggest hits though is it, peaking at number twenty four in the UK singles chart.
But it wins a place in my ten favourite Smith’s songs. I just couldn’t help myself.
6. Sweet And Tender Hooligan.
Class of ’87. Bang at it again with questionable lyricism, The Smiths came up with a bit of a rock anthem here.
In the previous year The Smiths had their big disco hit with Panic and the uplifting Ask, notwithstanding the fabulous Shoplifters and Sheila Take A Bow.
Hooligan should have been a single at the time. Available on Louder Than Bombs, heaven knows why it would be eight years before it was decided to be put out as a single release.
In 1987, the band were still everywhere you cared to look, big posters donning the facias of HMV, Mozza back on TOTP and slammed by MP’s, yes MP’s, no strangers themselves to controversy, over lines in Girlfriend In A Coma.
The Beeb also banned Stop Me because of “plan a mass murder”.
It’s the lyrics and interpretation I want to focus on today. Because being an autie I read everything quite literally but once I’d got it, grasped the true reality, I just found it funny.
“But she was old and she would have died anyway”
At the time a family I knew had a boy who was twelve tops and I’d introduced The Smiths to him.
“Is it supposed to be funny?” he asked having heard the three bar fire lyric.
Keyword “supposed”. I saw The Smiths akin to shock jocks. Radio presenters paid to peddle controversy ergo it didn’t really represent what they truly believed.
Etcetera! Etcetera!
So it was all a bit of fun. We all appreciate I think the sharp wit of Stephen Patrick and when it boiled down to these innuendoes I was naturally hooked, having endured a diet of Carry On movies growing up.
And being a football fan, Hooligan appeared to be a direct nod to the game. What was not to love?
The music was written by Johnny in early 1986. Morrissey must have written the lyrics soon after, or perhaps when the song was recorded.
An early, slower version of the song was recorded during the sessions for the “Panic” single, in May 1986 at Livingston Studios in London with producer John Porter and fifth Smith Craig Gannon, alongside Panic and The Draize Train.
Another version was recorded with producer John Porter on 2 December 1986 for the band’s final appearance on John Peel’s BBC programme (broadcast 17 December 1986). This is the version which has been released and with which we are now familiar.
So when it comes to choosing ten of the best, Sweet And Tender Hooligan is a worthy pick because it does a little more than it says on the tin.
“In the midst of life we are in death, etcetera.”
An important reminder of where we all are.
Death our ultimate loss but you know, while we’re here, let’s make the most of life.
Yawn.
They’re telling you what is good and what isn’t. Rather than, well we think that this is bigger than others.
So please please please don’t take this seriously. It’s Rolling Stone after all. Three years ago, they decided to rank all 73 Smiths songs…
Accept Yourself
Barbarism Begins at Home
Paint A Vulgar Picture
Meat Is Murder
Work Is A Four Letter Word
I Keep Mine Hidden
Golden Lights
Back To The Old House
Death At One’s Elbow
Money Changes Everything
Well I Wonder
The Draize Train
What’s The World
Oscillate Wildly
Girl Afraid
Jeane
Asleep
Wonderful Woman
Suffer Little Children
I Won’t Share You
Miserable Lie
Rusholme Ruffians
This Night Has Opened My Eyes
I Don’t Owe You Anything
Vicar In A Tutu
Sweet And Tender Hooligan
These Things Take Time
The Hand That Rocks The Cradle
Unhappy Birthday
Nowhere Fast
Pretty Girls Make Graves
I Started Something I Couldn’t Finish
Never Had No-one Ever
Rubber Ring
The Headmaster Ritual
London
That Joke Isn’t Funny Anymore
A Rush And A Push And The Land Is Ours
I Want The One I Can’t Have
Girlfriend In A Coma
Sheila Take A Bow
Frankly Mr. Shankly
What She Said
Is It Really So Strange?
Unloveable
The Boy With The Thorn In His Side
You’ve Got Everything Now
Shakespeare’s Sister
What Difference Does It Make?
Shoplifters Of The World Unite
Some Girls Are Bigger Than Others
Last Night I Dreamt That Somebody Loved Me
Please Please Please Let Me Get What I Want
Ask
You Just Haven’t Earned It Yet, Baby
Death Of A Disco Dancer
Hand In Glove
Stretch Out And Wait
Still Ill
Stop Me If You Think That You’ve Heard This One Before
Bigmouth Strikes Again
William, It Was Really Nothing
Cemetery Gates
Reel Around The Fountain
Handsome Devil
Heaven Knows I’m Miserable Now
The Queen Is Dead
Panic
How Soon Is Now
Ths Charming Man
I Know It’s Over
Half A Person
There Is A Light That Never Goes Out
Now because it was Rolling Stone and the article was in a scroll down, I knew exactly what the number one would be.
As predictable as when they tell us that OK Computer is the greatest album ever. It’s not even Radiohead’s best album in my opinion.
Opinions. Yes, about those. All us Smith’s fans are doing these top tens and there’s not one jot of critique, only appreciation and applause. Which is great.
But while are chosen lists will be different, I still feel that most will look at the above and say – have a word with yourselves.
While I’m thrilled to see some sanity in I Know It’s Over being third ‘best’ – two instrumentals are suddenly better than Well I Wonder? Cemetery Gates as high as eleven? Even Back To The Old House has suffered, personally that would make it into my top twenty-five.
Anyway, as we count down, I am a few days behind so without further ado, here’s my choice for number seven.
This Night Has Opened My Eyes
In a river the color of lead Immerse the baby’s head Wrap her up in the News Of The World Dump her on a doorstep, girl
This night has opened my eyes And I will never sleep again You kicked and cried like a bullied child A grown man of twenty-five
Oh, he said he’d cure your ills But he didn’t and he never will Oh, save your life Because you’ve only got one
The dream has gone But the baby is real Oh, you did a good thing She could have been a poet
Or, she could have been a fool Oh, you did a bad thing And I’m not happy And I’m not sad
A shoeless child on a swing Reminds you of your own again She took away your troubles Oh, but then again
She left pain So, please save your life Because you’ve only got one The dream has gone
But the baby is real Oh, you did a good thing She could have been a poet Or, she could have been a fool
Oh, you did a bad thing And I’m not happy And I’m not sad Oh…
And I’m not happy And I’m not sad Oh… And I’m not happy and I’m not sad
Recorded on 14th September 1983 it’s one of the few Peel session songs I care for that appear on Hatful.
True to say that with so many non-album tracks, there might have been one or two more studio albums rather than the hotch-potch of compilations.
Anyway, that’s where I’m at for now, four songs down and six to go
On a radiator in my lounge sits that t-shirt. It is one of the few things I have kept from the 1980’s, an original one too, purchased in HMV.
T’was summer of ’86. The previous year had been a hot summer and the release of The Queen Is Dead in mid-June was much awaited I remember.
It would be my last summer in Southampton and I’d play this album, along with Peter Gabriel’s ‘So’ repeatedly on my cassette Walkman and everyone sunbathed on the common.
“As the flames rose to her Roman nose And her Walkman started to melt”
The Queen Is Dead is as perfect an album as So is too. What tracks would you ever skip? I think it’s packed with angst and wit and delivers the songs in a series of punches that would flatten most pugilists.
This is the first of two songs from The Queen Is Dead in my chosen ten. I could connect personally with the words, imagining loving someone so much but never having fulfilment or standing a chance.
Twenty years, seven months and twenty seven days is one hell of a long time to dream.
Never Had No One Ever
Album: The Queen Is Dead Released: 1986
When you walk without ease On these streets where you were raised I had a really bad dream It lasted 20 years, 7 months and 27 days And I know alone that I never, ever oh Had no one ever
Now I’m outside your house I’m alone And I’m outside your house I hate to intrude
And I never, never oh Had no one ever I never had no one ever I never had no, no one ever Had no one never Never, no, oh
Now we all love a Smiths compilation but I was unaware of this unofficial release until now. So it’s something perhaps for the boy who has to have everything?
9. Wonderful Woman
I’ve always liked this enough for it to be placed ahead of other more well-known Smiths songs. The only snag here was where it would feature in the ten. Given the strength of what’s to come, ninth position seems almost perfect.
Here’s what Morrissey later said about this song (as quoted in Simon Goddard’s book ‘Songs That Saved Your Life’):
“In a monotonous way, it’s quite tongue-and-cheek. The wonderful woman is actually an incredibly vicious person but still at the end of the day she had this incredible magnetic ray to me. All the things that she wanted to do, nasty as they were, were completely forgivable due to whatever reason. It’s all metaphysical.”
10. Heaven Knows I’m Miserable Now
“Bloody hellfire”.
That’s what Tommy utters under his breath in The Grapes as Duffy walks in, gyrating an arm above his head in mock up of Morrissey’s dance rotuine.
“The Smiths! This Charming Man”
“Label?”
“Rough Trade”
“Year”
“1983”
“Correctomundo”
I was fifteen when The Smiths came into my life, well on my way to becoming a charming man.
In fact, this band were to dominate my life musically for the next few years, replacing The Jam who I had been listening to fervently from the age of ten.
I’ve heard it said a few times that The Smiths came along just at the right time.
The eighties had such a vast cross-section of styles and The Smiths were something different again, a hand that fitted a glove so perfectly.
My introduction was by my cousin Andrew when he put on Heaven Knows. “You just have to listen to this” he said.
I’d been aware of The Smiths but maybe I hadn’t heard anything that blew me away.
Yes, I liked Heaven Knows but I had to take a backward step and buy their debut album and that is where I connected and everything fell into place.
A couple of tracks with questionable lyrics that were to come under scrutiny but still a debut album packed with songs of measure and value, not less Johnny Marr’s sublime guitar work.
And on Twitter right now, so many people are tweeting their Top Twenty-Fives and Top-Tens, I decided to make my own ten.
This Charming Man
William, It Was Really Nothing
There Is A Light That Never Goes Out
Some might say, how can you have a Smiths top ten without those? Oh I can. Easily.
For one thing, I think my ten will be a little different to most and perhaps contain the more deep and dark cuts.
And for another, it’s great that we all vary so much in our selections. It’s down to personal choice so in the end if I don’t include their most popular songs, what difference does it make?
So at number ten, it is Heaven Knows I’m Miserable Now because for me, this is where it all began.
So the original video I produced for this song got lost somewhere in cyberspace.
And I could no longer find the movies and documentaries I had previously used.
But I discovered new material and this ended up primarily as an alcohol awareness film and I’m biased but this song is great and deserves to have an unofficial music video.
When I make a themed video such as this and like my one for autism I always want it to have a storyline.
I’ve used the Drank single sleeve and the Tuber album sleeve you’ll see as the drums kick in but I could not seem to make them any shorter than 0.4s and it kind of works but doesn’t sync exactly and that for me is everything.
Same with the band clips, when you cut stuff up and where there are vocals, to sync it spot on is real tough but I think I’ve got it as good as I can get it anyway.
I’m also happy that the audio is the WMA rip so the sound should be a lot better than a compressed version.
About the band, all I remember is John Peel (probably) had played “Drank” on a programme and I loved the sound, they remind me a bit of Buffalo Tom when I listen to them, I did buy the debut album Tuber but thought the other songs didn’t stand up to “Drank” but I always remembered the band were from Derby (or thereabouts).
On Twitter a few guys joined in on a conversation and it was good that one of them had known band members personally and that others had seen Bivouac play live. Amazingly I learned that they are still playing to this day!
I’ve used lots of imagery here, clips of binge drinking, consequential public disorder to help get the message across.
Towards the end where there’s the instrumental part of the song, I’ve included a timelapse of Derby city centre but even that’s actually slowed down for effect and I like the escalator part before it goes into a Sphere 3D clip of band members.
While looking for new material I found a documentary about a kid who was drinking a bottle of vodka a day. This set the tone and from there the film jumps back to him and it’s what particularly what he says at the end in “It’s just boss – it just makes me feel better” I thought to end the video with that was more poignant along with the alcohol awareness sign.
And as we know drink can be a dark destroyer and affects so many parts of our lives, even going to football which is something I love, hence the small inclusion of Derby and Forest fans.
I’ve got three video editing suites and to make this I chose to use Rovio Creator NXT-6 (see timeline pic above) as it’s pretty decent for tricks and effects.
Lastly I don’t make videos very often, it’s just when I am inspired by something and I enjoy putting it all together. Also I hardly ever get any feedback so if you enjoy the video or have any crtitique, you can leave a reply below the post so, here’s Drank (for the second time!)
Acid Mouse Music 